Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have ordered a water test kit (Amm, Nitrite, Nitrate, Low and High PH) off eBay.

Got it for $38 inc postage, whereas my local pet store wanted twice that for the exact same kit!

Put in some plants, just because it looks better now



Also got a working siphon. It's a simple bell siphon. I just kinda went off pictures of other ones so I probably got the measurements all messed up! Using 25mm standpipe inside a 40mm bell, with a 3mm inner airstone hose for a breather/breaker, all sitting inside a 90mm media guard;



And on the bottom there is a 90 degree elbow with a 135 degree elbow to create a water trap;



Having done some more research however I will trial the Affnan style as they seem to be quite popular as well. I like the different techniques he has been incorporating.

I want to use this time to try many different setups and ideas. I am liking the idea of the siphon over a timed flood and drain, but will probably give that a go at some stage as well.

Dose of humonia the other day, but will have to wait for my test kit to arrive before I can have any idea where things are at.

Got my water test kit today.

Just for practice I did a test. As expected there is not much of anything going on



By the way, what is the best way to clean out the tubes afterwards? I just rinsed them with tap water and put them back in the kit but I imagine there is a 'proper' way?

I had an issue whereby my siphon wasn't breaking and was just continually leaking water out the pipe as fast as it was coming in.

I realised that the cap on top of the 90mm guard was making the entire thing into a siphon so I removed that and the whole thing works a lot better now!

I don't have enough holes in my guard either - I only have 4x 6mm holes in it so I would imagine it would function better with more holes and slits.

The Affnan style siphon is so simple and versatile to make its crazy. Made quite a few and never had an issue. The only thing you need to ensure is you don't have to little or to much flow as it will either not start or wont stop

And more holes in the guard - definitely

Naa, just rinse them out

Cool, thx Charlie.




Yeah, need to get a bigger guard too - 90mm is just a bit too small for my hands to get inside

Put the cap on the bottom... turn upside down... and let drain...

Lick em

Are you even a real Dr?



Back in the kit? That's what I did last night, except for the cap - good tip.

I may have run into a slight issue with the test kits..

I have a colour deficiency in that I cannot tell closely hued colours apart. In practical terms it means that if I am looking at a few different shades of blue they all tend to look the same. It isn't just blues it happens with either.

I will continue to post pics of my test kits, along with what I think the results read, but if I am way off the mark then please let me know?

I cannot say for sure if it will effect my reading of the kits, but as an example I can easily see the 25 and maybe the 29, but I wouldn't be able to identify the other numbers without someone telling me what they are;



Anyway, I will do another test soon and post the results - I will do a high PH test tonight as I think my last one read the highest level on the standard PH test.

Here is tonight's test:

This mornings test, no change;

Now it's just a waiting game....

P.S... to help you out... in order... the numbers are 45, 56, 6, 8 ..... now you should be able to tell the difference easily...

Tonight's water test (are my nitrites starting to move?);





Cheers! lol

This morning's test;